Using Cut, Copy, and Paste

     I have had many requests for an explanation on how to "copy and paste", and when to use "cut" and when to use "copy".  This will allow you to capture a block of text, a photo, or graphic, and take it somewhere else.  You can take it to your website, or save it to your computer.  First, I will give a "how to".

     First, you must highlight the graphic or text.  To highlight a photo or graphic, place your cursor over the item and right click on it.  You should get a drop-down window with several choices.  If you are on someone else's website, left click on "copy".  This saves the item to the "clipboard" within your computer.  You must then choose a location to "paste" it.  Open the file or page where you want the item, right click on the location, then left click on "paste".  A series of photos can be copied by holding down the left mouse button on the first photo and dragging the mouse to the last photo, highlighting them all.  Right click over the highlighted area and choose "save picture as".  Note: all highlighted items will come along too, such as text.

     With a photo or graphic you want to save to your computer, right click on the item to highlight it, then left click on "save picture as".  This will open up a window where you can name the file and browse for a location to put it.  A series of photos can be saved by holding down the left mouse button on the first photo and dragging the mouse to the last photo, highlighting them all.  Right click over the highlighted area and choose "save picture as".  Note: all highlighted items will come along too, such as text.

    A block of text can be copied by placing your cursor over the text.  Your cursor will turn into a big letter "I".  Press and hold your left mouse button down, and drag your mouse to the end of the desired block.  Let go of your mouse button and the block of text should now be highlighted, and your cursor should now be an arrow again.  Place the arrow over the block of highlighted text, and right click on it.  In the drop-down box, left click on copy.  The text is now saved to the clipboard, and is available to paste at the new location.

    This is very handy when you are working with HTML and have scripts you need to copy exactly.  The best way to keep track of your favorite tags and scripts is to create a "Microsoft Word" or "Notepad" document, and paste them there.  They are now available to use as needed by copying and pasting to your new location. Hint: sometimes when you copy text or html code from a web page, it will also copy the formatting of the text, which you may not need. To remove the formatting - paste the block of text into notepad, then cut [or copy] the text back from the notepad file. It will now be unformatted)

     The simple rule for when to use "cut", and when to use "copy" is: use "copy" if you want to only duplicate the item and not remove it from the original location.  Use "cut" if you want to remove it from it's original location and paste it somewhere new.  Cut can only be used on an item you have control over, such as files on your own computer, or web pages you are working on. 

     You can practice your html copying and pasting in the following box.  Paste your code in the box and click the "view html" button and you will be able to see what the script will look like when it is published.